Dressing in rough and dirty garments, letting your hair grow matted, abstaining from eating any meat or fish, does not clean the one who is deluded.
Mortifying the flesh through excessive...
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"Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that. That's all, that's all! If anyone finds out he'll become happy at once, that minute.... It's all good. I discovered it all of a sudden."

Most recently I was sitting zazen at a local park. It was a most beautiful day. I was intent of meditating. But was constantly distracted by my thoughts. The longer I meditated the more agitated I became. I finally stopped. Then I looked around me--the trees were changing color, a white swan was sitting on the lake, a seagull was flying over head, the wind was gently dancing in the leaves. In my desire to meditate I missed all of this. I let go of the desire for what was not--and simple basked in the beauty that was. I was already happy to be in such a beautiful day in such a beautiful setting at such a beautiful moment. My agenda kept me from realizing it.